Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Sam Jacobs of Houma-Thibodaux, La., and named Auxiliary Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of New Orleans as his successor. Bishop Jacobs is pictured in a 2007 photo. The changes were announced Sept. 23 in Washington by Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, papal nuncio to the United States.

Catholic News Service photo

Pope Francis has named Auxiliary Bishop Shelton Fabre of New Orleans, pictured during the bishops' 2012 "ad limina" visits at the Vatican, to be bishop of Houma-Thibodaux, La. He succeeds Bishop Sam G. Jacobs, 75, who resignation was accepted by the p ope. The changes were announced Sept. 23 in Washington by Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, papal nuncio to the United States.

Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON — Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Sam G. Jacobs of Houma-Thibodaux, La., and appointed as his successor Auxiliary Bishop Shelton Fabre of New Orleans.

Bishop Jacobs, who has headed the diocese since 2003, is 75, the age which bishops are required by canon law to submit their resignation to the pope. Bishop Fabre, 49, has been a New Orleans auxiliary since 2006.